Class, privilege, not just language, behind Bengaluru auto driver conflicts: Report
Bengaluru: Recent incidents involving auto drivers and passengers in Bengaluru have been generally reported as language conflicts between Kannada and Hindi speakers. However, anthropologist Usha Rao suggested that class and privilege, rather than mere linguistic differences, often lie at the heart of these tensions.
Many auto drivers in Bengaluru are either fluent in Hindi or able to communicate in basic Hindi, but Rao believes the city's rapid growth has led to widening language gaps, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
Rao noted that the conflicts often stem from issues of class. As Bengaluru’s economic inequality grows, tensions between different groups intensify, with Kannada becoming a tool for auto drivers to assert their identity. She further added that the migration boom in Bengaluru has resulted in massive language gaps.
Kannada activist Ganesh Chetan argued that the insistence on speaking Hindi in everyday interactions can feel like an "outright provocation" to many Kannadigas. “It is seen more now, as Kannada activism has grown and become more assertive. When you go to live in France, you are expected to learn French, and we expect the same here," he was quoted as saying by the publication.
While an Instagram survey suggested that drivers charged higher fares to Hindi-speaking passengers, a dipstick survey by Deccan Herald revealed that they demand higher fares, but do not discriminate on the basis of language.
Many auto drivers stressed that respect, rather than language, is what truly matters in their interactions with passengers. One driver remarked that they simply expect basic courtesy, while another emphasised that, regardless of whether it’s Kannada or Hindi, “respect begets respect.”
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Karnataka police constable arrested for forging passport verification records
Mangaluru: A police constable attached to the Vitla Police Station has been arrested for allegedly forging documents and manipulating passport verification records to obtain a clearance certificate from the authorities.
Police said on Tuesday that a person identified as Shakti Das, who claimed to be residing within the jurisdiction of the Vitla Police Station, first applied for a passport in February 2025.
During police verification, it was found that the address mentioned in the application did not match official records, following which the application was not recommended.
In June 2025, Shakti Das reportedly submitted a second passport application. Police alleged that Pradeep, a staff member at the Vitla Police Station, processed the reapplication without informing the concerned beat constable, Sabu Mirji, who was responsible for verifying the applicant’s address.
Pradeep allegedly prepared a verification report in the name of the beat constable, forged his signature, secured approval from senior officers, and forwarded the report. He is also accused of destroying verification-related documents to conceal the irregularities.
As per the report, the matter came to light on December 19 during a scrutiny of records. Police said the acts amounted to criminal breach of trust, as a crucial identity document issued by the Central government was fraudulently obtained.
Police further said that Shakti Das claims to hail from West Bengal, and his address is currently being verified.
Based on the findings, Vitla Police have registered a case against Pradeep and passport holder Shakti Das under Sections 336, 337, 316(5), and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Pradeep has been arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway, police said.
